24 Free Thanksgiving Shrinky Dink Patterns
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If you’re looking for an easy Thanksgiving activity that works for daycare, classrooms, or at home with your own kids, these Thanksgiving Shrinky Dink ideas are perfect. One of my favorite holiday projects is making Shrinky Dinks!
They’re simple, budget-friendly, and kids absolutely love watching their colorful creations shrink down in the oven. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday to celebrate to bring families and kids together for crafts, food, and fun. Scroll to the end for the free templates you can use for your shrinky dinks!
Why Shrinky Dinks Make the Best Holiday Craft
- Easy to set up: All you need are Shrinky Dink sheets, markers or pencils, and scissors.
- Quick results: Kids get the joy of coloring, then the excitement of seeing their artwork shrink right before their eyes.
- Useful keepsakes: Finished pieces can be turned into magnets, keychains, jewelry, ornaments, or table decorations.
- Customizable: You can make patterns for turkeys, pumpkins, fall leaves, or words like “Thankful.”
It’s a fun way to keep little hands busy while teaching creativity and fine motor skills.
Ideas for Thanksgiving Shrinky Dink Designs
Here are some simple patterns kids will love making:
- Classic Thanksgiving symbols: Turkeys, pumpkins, cornucopias, and slices of pumpkin pie.
- Seasonal nature: Acorns, sunflowers, colorful fall leaves, and bundles of wheat.
- Fun extras: Cartoon animals like owls, foxes, or squirrels holding acorns.
- Lettering: Phrases like “Give Thanks” or “Happy Thanksgiving” in bubble letters kids can color.
You can mix big coloring outlines with smaller designs to turn into charms, jewelry, or table markers.
How to Use Them
- Keychains and Jewelry: Punch holes before baking and add rings or cords.
- Magnets: Glue magnets to the back for fridge decorations.
- Garlands: String Shrinky Dinks onto twine for a Thanksgiving banner.
- Table Place Cards: Write each guest’s name on a Shrinky Dink design for personalized seating.
A Craft Kids Will Remember
Kids love being part of holiday traditions. Making Shrinky Dinks for Thanksgiving gives them a special way to contribute to the celebration, whether it’s a handmade place card for the dinner table or a magnet to bring home to Mom and Dad.
Crafts like these don’t just keep kids entertained; they build fine motor skills, encourage creativity, and give them something they’ll treasure long after the holiday.
Shrinky Dink Patterns
For more shrinky dink ideas, check out these free patterns:
- St. Patrick’s Day Shrinky Dink Patterns
- Halloween Shrinky Dink Patterns
- 24 Free Summer Shrinky Dink Patterns
- Shrinky Dink Christmas Ornaments with Free Printable Patterns
Classic Thanksgiving Symbols
Thanksgiving Shrinky Dinks are the perfect mix of fun, learning, and creativity. They’re affordable, easy to make, and bring joy to kids of all ages. So gather your supplies, print some fun patterns, and get ready for a holiday craft that will have everyone smiling.
Fun Extras for Jewelry or Keychains
- Mini Pumpkin Pies – small circles with pie wedge designs.
- Acorn Charms – easy to turn into earrings or zipper pulls.
- Tiny Turkey Faces – just the head, with a beak and wattle.
- Fall Leaves – small, perfect for necklaces or bracelets.
How to Use These Ideas
- Draw or print outlines on paper, then trace onto Shrinky Dink sheets with a permanent marker.
- Let kids color with colored pencils or permanent markers.
- Cut out shapes and punch holes if you want them for keychains or jewelry.
- Bake according to Shrinky Dink instructions until they shrink and harden.
Craft Extensions for Daycare or Families
- String finished Shrinky Dinks into a thankful garland with twine.
- Turn them into name tags for the Thanksgiving table.
- Make bracelets or necklaces with leaf and acorn charms.
- Create magnets by gluing small magnets on the backs.
